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FOS proposals to clear the back-log - attractive or not?
The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) has proposed a temporary approach to the classification of certain complaints in an attempt to alleviate their complaints backlog exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. The approach could see firms looking to pro-actively resolve complaints before a defined cut off date before FOS reaches a decision so that the complaint is recorded separately and not as a "change in outcome" (i.e. where a complaint has been rejected by a business and upheld by FOS). The consultation was open for a short two-week period between 4 and 18 October 2021.
Read moreFurther welcome news from the FCA – this time on co-manufacturing
Following on from our earlier blog, our review of the FCA's 'Discussion Paper' (DP24/1) continues, this time considering the rules relating to co-manufacturers of insurance products.
Read morePotential deregulation and a pragmatic approach to commercial insurance – welcome news from the FCA
The FCA has published a 'Discussion Paper' (DP24/1) seeking feedback on its rules on commercial insurance including in respect of the types of commercial customers in-scope, co-manufacturing of products and bespoke insurance products.
Read moreAdams v Carey – where does the Court of Appeal's decision leave the SIPP market?
The Court of Appeal has today dismissed Mr Adams' appeal against Carey in respect of COBS 2.1.1R. However, the appeal in relation to s.27 FSMA has been upheld. We discuss the background to the proceedings, the Court of Appeal decision and where it takes the SIPP (and wider financial services) market.
Read moreNew developments in AI may put law firms at greater risk of phishing fraud
As the computing power of Artificial Intelligence continues to grow exponentially, we consider how generative technology may expand the reach of traditional phishing frauds aimed at law firms.
Read moreIs the FCA to blame for BSPS? MPs seem to think so
The House of Commons Public Accounts Committee (PAC) yesterday published a report entitled "Investigation into the British Steel Pension Scheme". The report makes a number of recommendations in light of its investigations in to the FCA's conduct and regulatory oversight at the time of the issues arising from the British Steel Pension Scheme (BSPS) and in particular the decision by 7,834 members to transfer to a personal pension arrangement. The report is heavily critical of the FCA's handling of BSPS and its regulatory oversight of the defined benefit transfer market generally. Given the request in the report for an update from the FCA on its progress on the various recommendations and conclusions in 6 months' time, we wait to see how the FCA reacts to yet further criticism of its handling of BSPS at a time when it is reviewing responses to the consumer redress scheme consultation.
Read moreSIPPs and FOS - does the Rowanmoor decision change anything?
Last week FOS published a decision it reached last year in a complaint against a SIPP provider involving advised sales. The FOS upheld the complaint, finding that the SIPP provider should have rejected business from the regulated financial adviser, CIB Life and Pensions Limited (CIB), given, broadly, red flags available to the SIPP provider with respect to the operation of CIB's business model including that CIB was not advising on the ultimate investment within the SIPP and as a result such introductions involved a significant risk of consumer detriment. The decision has received quite a bit of press attention - but has it moved the dial for SIPP complaints before FOS or not?
Read moreThe Future of Insolvency Regulation
On 21 December 2021 the Government launched a consultation into the future of insolvency regulation. The changes proposed in the consultation document will have a wide ranging impact on the insolvency profession (and its insurers) with the proposals including: the direct regulation of insolvency firms, the introduction of a single regulatory body with powers to order compensation against insolvency practitioners and firms, a new additional requirements regime, changes to the bond regime and a public register of insolvency practitioners and firms. Many of the changes proposed require primary legislation and so it may be some time before the changes to take effect (if adopted). But there does appear to be some wind behind these proposals given they follow on from the Call for Evidence in 2019 and a more general focus on insolvency issues in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Read moreStamp duty land tax (SDLT) avoidance and corporate property deals – the importance of timing!
The First-Tier Tribunal has, in a recent decision, caused something of a stir for clients and advisors familiar with the well-trodden (and, usually, tax-efficient) use of offshore unit trusts to hold UK property.
Read moreUS and Chinese regulators sign landmark agreement on inspection of Chinese audit work
On 26 August 2022, the US Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) and the PRC China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) and Ministry of Finance (MoF) signed a Statement of Protocol that would allow US regulators access to audits of Chinese companies listed on the US stock exchanges.
Read moreThe CAT's new approach: I can't afford a carriage (dispute)
Since the collective proceedings regime in the UK's Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) kicked off, a number of carriage disputes have arisen. So-called 'carriage disputes' arise when there are two or more competing proposed class representatives (PCRs) seeking certification (and therefore 'carriage') of overlapping class actions.
Read more2023 Update - CAT Collective Proceedings
A new era of consumer-focussed competition class actions is now well underway. It kicked off with the first collective proceedings order (CPO) granted by the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) in Merricks in the summer of 2021, opening the gates for further collective claims to be certified.
Read moreModel Articles deemed unsuitable for sole director companies
A recent decision of the High Court in Hashmi v Lorimer-Wing [2022] EWHC 191 (Ch) has suggested that the model articles for private companies are not suitable for companies with a sole director appointed.
Read moreA licence to kill... a licence
In the second of a number of short articles we are producing in relation to businesses in the tech space, we will be discussing a real life example of what not to do when diligencing a tech company and its third party IP licence agreements.
Read moreNew regulations to permit assignment of receivables under commercial contracts now in force
After more than four years of consultation, draft regulations and revisions, the Business Contract Terms (Assignment of Receivables) Regulations 2018 (the Regulations) have now taken effect, and apply to all relevant contracts entered into on or after 31 December 2018.
Read moreHuawei and UK National Security - A new technology cold war?
Chinese technology giant, Huawei, has been making plenty of headlines recently. First, a number of Western governments (including the US, Australia and New Zealand) have banned Huawei equipment from being used in 5G networks, citing national security concerns. Next, Huawei's CFO was arrested in Canada in connection with alleged breaches of international sanctions.
Read moreCyber_Bytes - Issue 34
We hope you enjoy this latest edition of Cyber_Bytes, our biweekly roundup of key developments in cyber, tech and evolving risks.
Read moreCyber_Bytes - Issue 33
Welcome to Cyber_Bytes, our bi-weekly round up of key developments in cyber, tech and evolving risks.
Read moreCyber_Bytes - Issue 32
Welcome to Cyber_Bytes, our bi-weekly round up of key developments in cyber, tech and evolving risks.
Read moreCyber_Bytes - Issue 31
Welcome to Cyber_Bytes, our bi-weekly round up of key developments in cyber, tech and evolving risks.
Read moreCyber_Bytes - Issue 30
Welcome to Cyber_Bytes, our bi-weekly round up of key developments in cyber, tech and evolving risks.
Read moreCyber_Bytes - Issue 29
Welcome to Cyber_Bytes, our bi-weekly round up of key developments in cyber, tech and evolving risks.
Read moreCyber_Bytes - Issue 28
Welcome to latest edition of Cyber_Bytes, our bi-weekly roundup of key developments in cyber, tech and evolving risks.
Read moreCyber_Bytes - Issue 27
Welcome to Cyber_Bytes, our bi-weekly round up of key developments in cyber, tech and evolving risks.
Read moreCyber_Bytes - Issue 26
Welcome to Cyber_Bytes, our bi-weekly round up of key developments in cyber, tech and evolving risks.
Read moreCyber_Bytes - Issue 25
Welcome to Cyber_Bytes, our bi-weekly round up of key developments in cyber, tech and evolving risks.
Read moreCyber_Bytes - Issue 24
Welcome to Cyber_Bytes, our bi-weekly round up of key developments in cyber, tech and evolving risks.
Read moreCyber_Bytes - Issue 23
Welcome to Cyber_Bytes, a round up of key developments in cyber, tech and evolving risks over the last two weeks.
Read moreCyber_Bytes - Issue 22
Welcome to the latest edition of Cyber_Bytes, our bi-weekly roundup of key developments in cyber, tech and evolving risks.
Read moreCyber_Bytes - Issue 21
Welcome to the latest edition of Cyber_Bytes, our bi-weekly roundup of key developments in cyber, tech and evolving risks.
Read moreCyber_Bytes - Issue 19
Welcome to Cyber_Bytes, a round up of key developments in cyber, tech and evolving risks over the last two weeks.
Read moreCyber bytes - Issue 17
Welcome to Cyber_Bytes, our bi-weekly roundup of key developments in cyber, tech and evolving risks.
Read moreCyber bytes - Issue 16
Welcome to Cyber_Bytes, our bi-weekly roundup of key developments in cyber, tech and evolving risks.
Read moreCyber bytes - Issue 15
Welcome to Cyber_Bytes, our bi-weekly roundup of key developments in cyber, tech and evolving risks.
Read moreCyber bytes - Issue 14
Welcome to Cyber_Bytes, our bi-weekly roundup of key developments in cyber, tech and evolving risks.
Read moreCyber Bytes - Issue 13
Welcome to Cyber_Bytes, our bi-weekly roundup of key developments in cyber, tech and evolving risks.
Read moreCyber Bytes - Issue 12
Welcome to Cyber_Bytes, our bi-weekly roundup of key developments in cyber, tech and evolving risks.
Read moreCyber_Bytes - Issue 10
Welcome to Cyber_Bytes, our bi-weekly roundup of key developments in cyber, tech and evolving risks.
Read moreCyber Bytes - Issue 11
Welcome to Cyber_Bytes, our bi-weekly roundup of key developments in cyber, tech and evolving risks.
Read moreCyber_Bytes - Issue 8 2020
Welcome to the eighth 2020 edition of Cyber_Bytes, our bi-weekly roundup of key developments in cyber, tech and evolving risks.
Read moreCyber_Bytes - Issue 9
Welcome to Cyber_Bytes, our bi-weekly roundup of key developments in cyber, tech and evolving risks.
Read moreCyber_Bytes - Issue 7 2020
Welcome to the seventh 2020 edition of Cyber_Bytes, our bi-weekly roundup of key developments in cyber, tech and evolving risks.
Read moreCyber_Bytes - Issue 6 2020
Welcome to Cyber_Bytes, a round up of key developments in cyber, tech and evolving risks over the first month of 2020.
Read moreCyber_Bytes - Issue 5 2019
Welcome to Cyber_Bytes, a bi-weekly roundup of key developments in cyber, tech and evolving risks.
Read morePushing back on APP scams
An Authorised Push Payment (APP) is where a payer instructs their payment service provider, such as their bank, to send money from their account to another. These payments are usually made through the Faster Payment Service or CHAPS.
Read moreBrevan Howard's gagging order against Reuters upheld by the Court of Appeal in breach of confidence case
The news agency, Reuters, has lost its appeal against an injunction, which prevented it from reporting leaked confidential and commercially sensitive information concerning a leading global alternative asset manager, Brevan Howard Asset Management LLP.
Read more18 months on - the ICO reflects on Google Spain
The ICO has recently blogged on the cases it has received in the year and a half since the Google Spain decision last May.
Read moreBrand & Khan obtain continuing "anti-harassment" order against masseuse
The High Court has recently granted an extension to an anti-harassment injunction taken out by Russell Brand and Jemima Goldsmith, otherwise known as Jemima Khan (the Claimants), against a masseuse (the Defendant).
Read moreA Chinese lesson for private investigators
Those engaged in the investigation business – whether sniffing out personal or corporate intelligence – are well aware of the need to comply with laws that protect personal information.
Read moreCan schools take pupils' fingerprints?
The Times reported last week that parents at an independent school in north London had protested when fingerprints were allegedly taken from pupils without consent with a view to the fingerprints being used for the automated lunch payment system.
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